Water softener



Dec. 27, 1927.

O. W. JOHNSON WATER SOFTENER Filed July 27- 1925 III/III.

Patented Dec. 27, 1927.

OSCAR W. JOHNSON, OF ROCKFORD,

PORATION, OF ROCKFORD,

ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO WARD-LOVE rm COB- ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

WATER BOF'IENER.

Application fled July 27, 1925. semi m. mass.

M invention relates'to water softeners and as for its principal object, first, the provision of means for regulating the flow of water through the system during softening, so as not to exceed a pre-determined rate beyond the ca acity of the softener to soften water, regarsless of the available water pressure in different installations; and, secondly, the provision of a novel means to regulate the flow of regenerating fluid through the softening material in the system during regeneration or reconditioning so as not to exceed a pre-determined rate at which the fluid will be used to regenerate, it being understood that the chemical exchange always involves a certain definite time factor and it is wasteful, therefore, to pass regenerating fluid through the system faster than an exchange can occur between it and the softening material.

A further object of the invention relates to the provision of improved means for securing the desired results above mentioned, which is racticall fool-proof in that it leaves not in to e personal jud ent of the user of t e softener in contro ing the operation thereof, both in the normal softening operation and in regenerating or reconditioning.

The invention embraces other objects and advantages which will be brou ht out more clearly in the course of the ollowing detailed description. The latter refers to the drawing in which Fig. 1 is a front view of a softener embodying the improvements of my invention, and

Fig. '2 is an enlar vertical section through the atmospheric measuring or timing funnel forming a part of my present invention. 2 is taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawing, in which the same reference numerals are applied to corresponding arts, a base 3, having supporting leg 4 an a bolting flan 5, has the flange 6 of the tank 7 secured t ereon by a plurality of bolts 8. The tank contains the material for softening hard water and usually has rovision for tering the water as well.

" lhe softening material in the present case extends from within a short distance of the top of the tank to the bottom thereof, and

provision is made at the bottom for filtering and evenly distributing the passage of water by means of a metal filter cloth of very" fine mesh. The head space gives the softening material that is agitated and raised in the rising column of water an opportunity to settle so as not to be carried off through the outlet. It elm) furnishes a chamber into which the regenerating or reconditioning material, such as common salt or salt brine, may be poured or ingected when the system is to be reconditione The neck portion 9 of the tank is fitted with a salt ca 10, which is applied and removed from t e tank by the handles 11. Hard water is received through an inlet pipe 12 leading in from the city mains at t e users disposal. The pipe 12 taps into a pipe 13, extending vertically outside the tank 7. The pipe 12 leads into the base 3, as indicated atnl, and into the neck 9 at the top of the tank, as indicated at 15. The soft water leaves the tank through an outlet pipe 16 tapped into the pipe 13 above the inlet 12. A valve 17 is interposed in the outlet pipe and another valve 18 is interposed in the pipe 13, between the inlet and outlet pipes 12 and 16 respectively. From the description thus far advanced it will appear that water entering the inlet 12 and flowing down through the pi e 13, the valve 17 being open, flows upwar ly through the tank and is dischapged through pipe 16. This corresponds to e normal flow through the system in softening.

A valve 19 is provided below the inlet 12 to shutoff the normal flow through the system and w to enable reversin the direction of flow by opening the va vs 18 when regeneratin or reconditioning the softener. A valve 20 1s interposed in the pipe 13 below the valve 19 to serve as a flow regulator for the system. This valve has a cap 21, screwthreadin on the body thereof, to cover the stem of t e valve to prevent tampering there-.

with once the valve has been set. A key, indicated in dotted lines at 22, fits the valve 20 and is used by the lumber who makes the installation. After the valve is set, the key is removed and the cap 21 securely threaded in place. A faucet or bibb 23 is ta ped into the pipe 13 below the valve 20 and ischarges into a flow-measuring or timing funnel 24. The funnel 24 is mounted on a stand-pipe 25 tapped into a waste pi 26 on the dischar side of a valve 27, w 'ch controls the discharge of water from the tank through the waste-pipe in draining.

It may be stated at this point that, with the valve 18 closed and valves 19 and 23 fully opened, water enterin through the pipe 12 will be discharge throu h the aucet into the funnel 24 at a rate epending upon the available cit water pressure.

his pressure varies in fi'erent localities from as low as 20 to 30 pounds to as high as from 100 'to 150 pounds. Obviously, a softener designed for installation in a locality having a lower water pressure would not be suited for use in a localit having a much higher water pressure, lie to the fact that with inlet and outlet openings designed for a certain rate of flow at one pres sure the material in the tank might, in certain cases, be completely carried ofi if water were admitted at a much higher pressure. For this reason I provide a main restriction valve, such as the valve 20, which may be set to allow only a certain pre-determined flow through the system within the capacity of the softener to soften water. Thus, regardless of what demand is made on the softener due to thenumber of taps being opened throughout a given system, no more (water willbe allowed to pass than can reasonably be accommodated for softenin by the softener. The valve 20 is regulat until the discharge from the faucet is just sulficient to maintain a level of water in the funnel up to the openings 28 therein. These 0 lead into by-passes provided in hollow ribs 29 cast on the sides of the funnel 24 and extending down to the hollowneck 30, which threads on the end of the stand-pipe 25 as above indicated. When valve 20 is set according to the level maintained in the funnel, the openin 34 in the funnel is not fitted with the ushing 33 hereinafter described.

'The measuring or timing funnel 24 also serves in the' regulating of the reverse flow through the system in regeneratin or reconditio A reverse flow for as. t-washing is esta lished when the valve 18 is opened and the valve 19 closed, it being understood that the valve 17 for the outlet will be closed during the reconditioning rocess. The water will flow downwardl t rough the softening material in the tan to carry with it the salt, which has been poured in on to of the softening material, and is dissolved bythe water as it descends. In large machines, salt brine is injected directly into the top of the tank. The salt brine coming in contact with the material in the tank-produces a chemical exchange to replace with sodium the calcium and magnesium that has been assimilated by the material. This exchange can be carried on only at a certain pre-determined rate and it is therefore wasteful to pass the regenerating brine through the tank any faster than it will be used. By re ulating or timing the flow of brme throng the tank to the proper extent, knowin what time element is involved, I avoid a wasting of brine. In this connection, I provide means for regulatin the rate at which the water is discharged from the tank during reconditioning and, consequently, the rate of flow of the reconditionlng or regenerating fluid through the material is thereby overned. The reconditioning fluid is discharged through the faucet 23 into the funnel 24 and the faucet is opened only to such an extent as to maintain a level in the funnel up to the rim or flange 31 inside the funnel. The discharge from the funnel is restricted by the opening 32 provided in a tapered bushing 33 having a drive fit in an opening 34 in the bottom of the funnel over the neck 30. Due to the restricted size of the opening 32, a reduction in pressure would occur in the stand-pipe 25 were it not for the by-passes 29, which serve to relieve any suction that would otherwise be created. Ihe process of regenerating or reconditioning is carried on for thirty minutes or thereabouts. The valve 18 is then closed to prevent the admission of any more water through the inlet 23. It may be pointed, out here that the salt-washing may be carried on in the same direction as the normal flow in softening,

that is, in an upward direction. In th1s case salt or-salt brine would be injected in the base instead of in the top of the tank. In this way there would be no necessity for providing valves to reverse the flow through the tank.

Thetank is provided withfan air vent valve 35 tapping into the inlet 15015 the tank. The-valve 35 also provides an'overflow in a manner presently to appear, there being a pipe 36 extending therefrom to the funnel 24 to conduct the overflow to the funnel to be discharged through the wastepipe 26. Assuming that the regenerating process has been completed, the brine in the softener is drained by opening the valve 35 to allow air to replace the water as it drains out through the faucet 23. The faucet 23 is as ind1cated,-at a level near the bottom of the softening material. This location of the faucet is made with a view to eliminating as much of the regenerating brine as possible so that on the reflush, which occurs in an upward direction throu h the material in the tank, the water disc arged may soon be tested for its softness. The reflu sh flow occurs with the valve 18 closed, valve 19 opened, faucet 23 closed, and valve 35 opened. The valve 19 is opened gradually so that the water in filling the softener tank does not enter at too rapid a rate and will not a 'tate the material therein too seriously. he air valve may be ated so that the water will flow into the funnel 24: at a fair velocity. Thereflushing will at first carry off what re nerating brine still remains in the-tank ut within a few minutes a test for softness may be made. As soon as the water tests soft, the air vent is immediately closed and the valve 17 is opened again to allow thesoft water to go mto the system served by the softener.

I claim:

1. A flow measuring device for the purposes described comprisin a funnel having a dischar e opening, a leve indicating means at a pre etermined hei ht on said funnel above said opening to determine a rate of flow for brine in regenerating a water softener and a second level indicating means at another predetermined height on said funnel above the other means to determine a faster rate of flow for n-nh-r in the softening operation of the water softener.

2. A flow measuring device for the purmses described comprlsing a funnel cast to provide an annular rim ins de the some between the top and bottom of the funnel, and

an annular rim at the top thereof, said funnel having a discharge opening at the bottom thereof and said first mentioned rim serving to determine a relatively low rate of flow for brine in the re eneratin operation of a water softener w die the ot er rim serves in determining a relatively hi ll rate of flow for water in the normal so tening operation of the water softener.

3. A fiow measuring device of the character described comprising a funnel terminatinq in a hollow neck portion at the botlom hereof, said hollow neck portion providing a discharge opening for the funnel, said funnel being cast to provide a by-pam passageway extendingofrom the up r portion thereof to the ttom of sex. funnel and communicating with said discharge opening, and a plu having a restricted o disposed in tlie bottom of the funnel proper and establishing restricted communication between the funnel proper and the discharge opening.

4; In a flow measuring device as set forth in claim 5, the revision of an annular rim cast on the insi e wall of said funnel intermediate the top and bottom thereof, and another riin east on the inside wallof said funnel at the top end of the lay-pass passe way.

5. A flow measuring evice of the char acter described comprising afunnel having a main relatively. restricted discharge opening at the bottom thereof, a neck portion at the bottom of said funnel providing a relatively less restricted discharge opening, and means providing a by-pam: pas eway extending from then per ortlon 0 said funnel to the bottom ereo outside the funnel proper and communicating at the lower end thereof with the last mentioned discharge opening.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5 wherein the main relatively restricted discharge opening is provided in a replaceable or interchangeab eplug whereby a certain desired restriction is afforded.

7. In a device as set forth in claim 5 the rovision in said funnel of a level indicat mg mark intermediate the to and bottom of said tunnel to determine, or example, a rate of flow for, brine in regenerating a water softener, and another level indicating mark at the up or end of said funnel at the inlet end of tlie by-pass passe eway and servin to determine, for example, a. faster rate 0 flow for water in the normal softenin operation of the water softener.

n witness of the foregoing I afix my signature.

thereof above the intake OSCAR W. JOHNSON.

and will not agitate the material therein too seriously. The air valve may be regulated so that the water will flow into the funnel 524 at a fair velocity. The reflushing will at first carry oil what regenerating brine still remains in the-tank but within a few minutes a test for softness may be made. As soon as the water tests soft, the air vent is immediately closed and the valve 17 is opened again to allow the soft water to go into the system served by the softener.

I claim:

1. A flow measuring device for the purposes described comprlsing a funnel having a discharge opening, a level indicat ng means at a predetermined height on said funnel above said opening to determine a rate of flow for brine in regenerating a water softener, and a second level indicating means at another predetermined height on said funnel above the other means to determine a faster rate of How for water in the softening operation of the water softener.

2. A flow measuring device for the purposes described comprising a funnel cast to provide an annular rim ins'de the same between the top and bottom of the funnel, and an annular rim at the top thereof, said' funnel having a discharge opening at the bottom thereof, and said first mentioned rim serving to determine a relatively low rate of flow for brine in the regenerating operation of a Water softener while the other rim serves in determining a relatively high rate of flow for water in the normal softening operation of the water softener.

3. A flow n'ieasuring device of the character described comprising a funnel terminating in a hollow neck portion at the bottom thereof, said hollow neck portion providing a discharge opening for the funnel, said funnel being cast to provide a by-pass mssaoeway extendin from the upper portion thereof to the bottom of said funnel and communicating with said discharge opening, and a lug having a. restricted opening disposed 1n the bottom of the funnel proper and establishing restricted communication between the funnel proper and the discharge opening.

4." In a flow measuring device as set forth in claim 5, the provision of an annular rim cast on the inside wall of said funnel intermediate the top and bottom thereof, and another rim cast on the inside wall of said funnel at the top thereof above the intake end of the by-pass passa eway.

5. A flow measuring evice of the character described comprising a funnel having a main relatively restricted discharge opening at the bottom thereof, a neck portion at the bottom of said funnel providing a relatively less restricted discharge opening, and means providing a by-pass passa eway extending from the 11 per portion 0 said funnel to the bottom t ereof outside the funnel proper and communicating at the lower end thereof with the last mentioned discharge opening.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5 wherein the main relatively restricted discharge opening is provided in a replaceable or interchangeable plug whereby a certain desired restriction is afforded.

7. In a device as set forth in claim 5, the provision in said funnel of a level indicating mark intermediate the top and bottom of said tunnel to determine, for example, a rate of flow for brine in regenerating a. water softener, and another level indicating mark at the upper end of said funnel at the inlet end of the bypass passageway and serving to determine, for example, a. faster rate of flow for Water in the normal softening operation of the water softener.

In Witness of the foregoing I afiix my signature.

OSCAR W. JOHNSON.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1, 654,172.

Granted December 27, 927, to

OSCAR W. JOHNSON.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 52, claim 4, for the numeral "5" read "3"; and that the said Letters Patent should he read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Off ice.

Signed and sealed this 31st day of January, A. D. 1928.

Seal.

M. J. Moore, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,654,172. Granted December 27, 927, to

OSCAR W. JOHNSON.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 52, claim 4, for the numeral "5" read "3"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 31st day of January, A. D. 1928.

M. J. Moore Seal. Acting Commissioner of Patenta. 

